Signed lower right: A.R. Waud.

Title inscribed below image.

Inscribed on verso: Petersburg Mine, Va./July 30, 1864/23d U.S. colored/18th U.S.

Inscribed on an accompanying piece of paper in pencil and black ink: The advance to the "crater" after the explosion of the mine. In the middle distance are the mounds of earth thrown up by the explosion: beyond upon the high ground cemetery hill the Confederates inner line of works, which if they had carried, would have given the Union Army Petersburg and Richmond. In the foreground troops are seen advancing to and beyond Burnsides outer intrenched line and moving upon the Confederate defences. These were—on the left Bartletts Massachusetts brigade, and on the right, the Negro troops—this sketch was made about 8 AM July 30th 1864. / A point in the Rebel works known as Elliots Salient over this part was held by the 18th and 23rd S. Carolina infantry and a battery of artillery blown up in the explosion.

Published in: Harper's Weekly, 22 Aug. 1864, p. 548, without the big feet. Reference print available in the Civil War Drawings file—1864.

Reference print available in Ray, Plate 84 (pp. 164–165)